Star all-rounder Chris Cairns was injured when members of the team were caught up in the trouble at a Durban club.
Cairns, who did not accompany the rest of the team when they arrived here on Friday, was knocked to the ground after being punched from behind following a scrap at the “Tiger, Tiger” club.
Cairns suffered a cut mouth, witnesses said, adding that eight other New Zealand players were also also involved in the incident.
He was hit without warning on the back of the head, collapsed on the pavement while some of the players were abused by the a still simmering with resentment at the Kiwis’ victory over South Africa last Sunday which dealt a potentially fatal blow to the hosts chances of progress in the event.
The group caught up in the scuffle included Cairns, captain Stephen Fleming, Craig McMillan, Andre Adams, Scott Styris, Daniel Vettori, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram and Kyle Mills.
Team manager Jeff Crowe refused to lodge a formal police report.
“The incident happened outside the nightclub,” a statement from New Zealand Cricket (NZC) quoted Crowe as saying.
“Cairns had been asked to leave the nightclub by bar staff after reported loud behaviour by several members of the team.
“I am reviewing the incident with regard to player safety, security and behaviour and will be speaking to the players and South African police.
“I have, however, been advised by the South African police that the incident was unprovoked and was not related to any issue between Cairns and the person who assaulted him.”
Ironically, the controversy came on the day when the Black Caps had been scheduled to play their World Cup game against Kenya in Nairobi, but they boycotted the match on security grounds and forfeited the four points.
This is not the first time the Kiwis have got themselves into trouble in South Africa.
In 1994-95, three players — Dion Nash, Matthew Hart and Fleming — were hauled up for reportedly smoking dope by the poolside in Paarl and were temporarily suspended from the game.
Their refusal to fulfil the Kenya fixture meant the World Cup had a rest day on Friday.—AFP